Emiliano Martinez hat: Aston Villa boss Unai Emery backs ‘mature’ goalkeeper after latest hat prank

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is backing "mature" goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to handle the hostile reception he is expected to receive in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final against Paris St-Germain.

Martinez angered France supporters with his antics during the penalty shootout win in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, when his save from Kingsley Coman helped Argentina to victory.

He then showed off a Kylian Mbappe doll during the homecoming victory parade in Buenos Aires.

And on Tuesday he was pictured wearing a cap with a French cockerel alongside images of Argentina's recent triumphs as he embarked on the journey to Paris for the quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes.

Martinez's latest actions, under the microscope at the pre-match media briefing with Emery, are likely to turn up the heat even further on the 32-year-old before the meeting with PSG.

But Emery believes Martinez can cope with the backlash, saying: "He is mature. He is responsible. He is getting better at controlling his emotions. I was working with him in Arsenal as well, before I arrived here in Aston Villa.

"I think compared with when he arrived at Aston Villa five years ago and now, he is a different Emiliano.

"I think he is more mature. He is a better player, a better goalkeeper and now my conversation with him is always the same. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world – he got the award for it here in Paris."

Emery added: "Now focus on football, focus on individual challenges you have and try to manage as well everything you are achieving and the levels you are breaking. Try to control the emotions it brings you."

When asked about Martinez's cap, team-mate Youri Tielemans said: "I don't really care. I'm just here to play the game, whatever happens with Emi, as long as it stays respectful in football terms, I don't care."

Martinez's cap carried emblems of Argentina's four recent victories, the World Cup, two Copa Americas and the Finalissima, the game between the winners of the Copa America and the European Champions, which ended in a 3-0 victory over Italy in 2022.

Marcus Rashford will also be under the spotlight when he returns to the Parc des Prince with Villa.

Rashford was Manchester United's hero when his stoppage-time penalty saw them beat PSG 3-1, giving them victory on away goals in a last-16 Champions League tie in 2019.

Emery has been impressed with Rashford's rejuvenation since arriving on loan from Manchester United in January, and expects him to be a key figure again on Wednesday.

"He is a good guy, he is humble, he is a very good professional player, he is really happy with his team-mates," said Emery.

"He has been demanding of himself. I think he is playing free. The first thing is to try and connect with him as a person, then after that to connect with him as a player.

"His process here is getting better as well. He is playing in two different positions, he started as a left winger, now he is playing more as a striker. We want to find how he can exploit his qualities as best as possible with us. This is the process we have, still work to do, still process to do, but the most important is his feeling.

"We are seeing him smiling. It is the best news we can have. I am seeing him happy, I am seeing him committed with everything we are doing."

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